Do family friendly off road vehicles exist?

• May 2, 2017

• #1

FutureMountains

New member

Joined

Mar 14, 2017

Messages

23

Location

Santa Fe, NM

I just moved to NM with my wife and 2 young boys. We love our little Kia hatchback but I don't think it's going to cut it once I start tooling around the mountains this summer. The problem is that we are a 1 car family and have no desire to add a second car payment. Anyone else have a vehicle that serves both purposes? Toddler toy pit on wheels / 4wd adventure mobile. To be more specific I'm not planning on heading to Moab to see how stuck I can get. Just want something that won't get stuck on a muddy/snowy back-road.

 

• May 2, 2017

• #2

whiskeydog

Active member

Joined

Oct 17, 2011

Messages

706

Location

Billings, MT

Plenty of options, but then you're going to drop in mpg. 4Runner, sequoia, Tahoe, Yukon, any crewcab truck.

 

• May 3, 2017

• #3

W

WapitiBob

Well-known member

Joined

Oct 20, 2004

Messages

3,862

Location

Bend, Orygun

Subaru wagon of some version.

 

• May 3, 2017

• #4

K

Keeptrying

Active member

Joined

Nov 21, 2016

Messages

678

WapitiBob said:

Subaru wagon of some version.

Click to expand...

Yup.

 

• May 3, 2017

• #5

M

mtmuley

Well-known member

Joined

Jan 11, 2009

Messages

14,275

Location

montana

I lived in Nevada for 12 years and explored all over the desert. No way I'd do it in a station wagon. mtmuley

 

• May 3, 2017

• #6

S

Steve Anderson

New member

Joined

Oct 27, 2015

Messages

16

Forest service roads have a lot of big rocks and ruts. You'll need some clearance

 

• May 3, 2017

• #7

N

nrpate05

Well-known member

Joined

Jan 5, 2015

Messages

1,746

I'd probably get a 4runner. A 4 door wrangler or crew cab midsize truck will do well also.

 

• May 3, 2017

• #8

el unit

Well-known member

Joined

Nov 27, 2014

Messages

1,912

Location

Smelter City, MT

4 Runner- Long history of reliability and bombproof 4wd system. 1984 to present.

 

• May 3, 2017

• #9

H

HowaMini

New member

Joined

Apr 22, 2017

Messages

78

A rig that is off most people's radar is the Chevy Astro Van or GMC Safari Van in AWD. Your looking at a 2005 or 2006 at the newest in the Astro. They are pretty capable for what they are and there is actually a forum for people that use them off road. It can give you an idea of their capabilities if your interested in going that route. If you want something newer, the full-size Chevy Express or GMC Savanna is another option. I think a used AWD conversion van with some slight modification would be a pretty neat rig for a family that wants to get out in the woods.

I've been wanting to do a camper van but haven't come across the right right yet.

 

Last edited: May 3, 2017

• May 3, 2017

• #10

deer_shooter

Well-known member

Joined

Jul 20, 2009

Messages

2,100

Location

Southwest Pa.

Both my wife and I had XTerrras years ago and they were pretty capable. Gas mileage was not the best, I think I averaged around 16mpg. The wife has a Toyota FJ cruiser that I'd take anywhere and gets closer to 20mpg.

 

• May 3, 2017

• #11

F

Frenchy

Well-known member

Joined

Sep 12, 2011

Messages

496

Location

Bozeman, MT

We love our older VW Touareg. The thing is a beast, and pretty damn comfortable to boot. But not exactly something you want to toss a dead critter into.